Softball Squeezes Past Saint Leo in SSC Play

Natalie Heeley belted a two-run homer in the sixth to drive Barry over the Lions. Photo by: JC Ridley

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Natalie Heeley hit the game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to lift the #2 Barry University softball team (32-2, 10-0) to a 3-0 Sunshine State Conference win over the Saint Leo Lions (27-8, 8-2 SSC) at Buccaneer Field on Friday night.

Cristina DeTagle went 3-for-4 at the plate to pace the Buccaneers offensively, but it was Heeley’s 2-for-2, two-RBI role that pushed the Bucs over the top. She finished with a double and a home run, the first of her career as a Buccaneer. Amber Jack improved to 18-0 tossing at four-hit shutout while striking out nine.

Barry’s three-run sixth was ignited by Megan Young’s leadoff double. Danielle Rezendes came in to pinch run and was sacrificed to third on the next play. Then Heeley belted the two-run shot over the 220 mark in center field that gave Barry a 2-0 lead. The Bucs scored one additional run on a Saint Leo errand throw before closing out the inning for the win.

Jack scattered four hits over seven innings to earn the win in the circle, while Saint Leo’s Ashley Urbanik (19-5) gave up three runs on six hits and struck out five.

Both teams will return to action on Saturday, Apr. 5 at 1 pm for a doubleheader to close out the SSC series.